2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, and this was evident in its design cues, such as hexagonal grilles, wheel arches, and strong fender creases. The exterior color significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model in Celestial Silver giving off a somewhat dated "cop car" vibe. However, a switch to Solar Octane orange with black accents transformed it into a playful "Tonka truck" look. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard layout, featuring physical dials and buttons for climate control and volume. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered a mix of fabric, SofTex, and leather options. The seating was customizable, with power-adjustable front seats across all trims, and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof was standard or optional depending on the trim.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender had a rugged appeal, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance in design. The Defender offered extensive customization options, with base prices ranging from $58,525 to $153,625 for the new Defender OCTA. The test vehicle, a Defender 130 X, featured the Extended Black Exterior Pack and off-roading technology. It swapped standard 22-inch wheels for 20s with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires. The Gondwana Stone paint didn't complement the orange brake calipers, and the 20-inch wheels seemed delicate. Inside, the Defender X upgraded to premium Windsor hides with Kvadrat fabric, offering a choice of colors. The interior maintained an industrial theme with quality materials, focusing on purpose rather than luxury.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively available in a hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This system combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, a significant increase over its predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 20 mpg combined with 4WD. The TRD Pro trim was equipped with a part-time 4WD system, while other trims offered 4WD as an option. The 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth operation, and the TRD Off-Road package added features like all-terrain tires and an off-road suspension. The Sequoia's maximum towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, with towing-related upgrades available.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's test vehicle featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission connected to a standard AWD system with a low-range setting for off-roading. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. The adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Defender excelled off-road, with features like electronic active differential and wade-sensing technology. On-road, the Defender 130 provided a comfortable ride but struggled with twisty roads due to its weight and steering characteristics.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone featured automatic power-deploying running boards, aiding entry for shorter individuals. Inside, it offered up to 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with seats folded. The second-row seats were easy to move for third-row access, but the third-row seats didn't create a flat load floor due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. Headroom was reduced, and legroom varied across rows. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, providing comfort but lacking bolstering.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 required effort to enter without lowering the air suspension. It offered three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. Visibility was excellent, aided by a Clearsight digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera system. The panoramic sunroof and large windows created an open feel. The Defender 130's third-row seat was comfortable and accessible, while the side-hinged cargo door and high load floor posed challenges. Cargo space ranged from 15.3 to 89 cubic feet, depending on seat configuration.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone came equipped with a 14-inch touchscreen for infotainment, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized functionality over flashiness. A 12.3-inch driver-information display was standard, along with a Panoramic View monitor. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and connected services. Pivi Pro's performance improved, with accurate voice command responses and an intuitive user experience. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system impressed, and additional features included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system. The Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia included the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite as standard, featuring a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and more. Trailer Merge Warning extended blind-spot monitoring for trailers. The Tow Technology Package added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. Safety ratings were unavailable, but the similar Toyota Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender offered driver aids like automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. A Driver Assistance Mode menu allowed customization of assistance levels. The lane-keep assist was decisive, though it occasionally misinterpreted road markings. Adaptive cruise control operated smoothly, with minor issues in heavy traffic. Crash-test ratings were unavailable for the Defender.